Meet the Director:
Mandi Little has dedicated over 35 years to dance performance and 28 years to dance education; in private studios, public schools, as the owner of successful dance studios and as an adjudicator. During this time she has been recognized nationally and internationally for outstanding talent and choreography. In addition to choreographing for the Charlotte Civic Orchestra, regional theater productions & industrials, Mandi performed with a select group of dancers from across the U.S. in the Hula Bowl halftime, was cast as a dancer in the movie Eddie with Whoopi Goldberg & danced for the Charlotte Hornets NBA team. Mandi has trained extensively with renowned instructors such as Ray Leeper, Joe Tremaine, Keith Stewart, Gene Anthony Ray, Doug Caldwell, Terry Lindholm, Fanchon Cordell of UNCSA, Salvatore Aiello of NCDT, Alan Onickel and was an assistant for Tap master and Tony Award winner, Henry LeTang. As a teacher, she was awarded the Artist’s Music Guild award for Outstanding Dance Education and her students have won multiple national titles, scholarships and awards for outstanding technique and choreography. Having many students go on to pursue college and professional careers in dance brings her great pride. She loves to help the next generation of dancers develop confidence and a sense of identity through the love of dance that will serve them well in all future endeavors.
Est. 1998...
Re-Invented: 2025
Our Story
What started in Lancaster SC in 1998 by happenstance, quickly grew to become one of the top dance & acrobatics studios in the region. Well known for quality classes for the non-competitive dancer and pre-professional/competitive dancer alike, Encore Studios became a destination for dance excellence. Ready for a change of pace after operating two successful locations for over 20 years, Mandi decided to sell the studios and focus primarily on educating young dancers. However... in the Spring of 2025, opportunity "knocked" and Mandi answered the call of her many former students, now wishing their own little ones could have the "Encore Experience"... and it was out of that appreciation for excellence in dance education that M-power Dance Project @Encore was born! Mandi and the M-power staff cannot wait to share their love of Dance with the Next Generation !
The M-power Team
Meet Our Instructors
Mandi Little - Director
Logan Fleming
Logan began her dance journey as a student of Mandi Little at age 2. She quickly realized dance was her passion and began training and competing at a high level. In her time as a competitive dancer at Encore Studios, she was awarded multiple scholarships and national titles. Logan has also performed as a featured dancer for the Charlotte Civic Orchestra, for the Harlem Globetrotters and at the Artist's Music Guild Awards alongside Bucky Covington, Melanie Safka & the illustrious Lamb Chop. She has trained with and performed choreography by Michael Schwandt, Dres Reid, Chalatorn Ujamras, Bryce Speaker, Aaron Atkins and Alexa Luke among many others. Her extensive training in all genres makes her a versatile and well rounded teacher. In addition to assisting and teaching dance classes at all levels, Logan is an experienced gymnastics and tumbling instructor and was a member of the Ft. Mill High School Dance Team. She is currently pursuing her BS in Nursing and is excited to begin working with the eager students at M-power--loving the idea of continuing the Encore legacy by sharing dance with the next generation!
Charise Meyer
Charise Meyer is a passionate and dedicated dance educator with 24 years of teaching experience in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, tap and acro. With a background in both performance and choreography, Charise strives to create an inspiring and supportive environment where students can build confidence, develop strong technique, and express themselves through movement. She has trained under Debra Sproll, along with many NY and LA based instructors, as well as continuing education at Tremaine Dance Conventions. Charise has performed and claimed titles in both regional and national competitions and her choreography has won both regional and national awards. She is a certified to teach safe Acrobatics and tumbling progressions through Acrobatique. As a teacher, Charise believes in blending discipline with creativity, encouraging each dancer to grow not only in skill but also in artistry. Whether working with beginners or advanced students, Charise is committed to fostering a love of dance and helping every dancer reach their full potential.
Sophie Small
We are excited to have Sophie Small joining the M-power team this season as an Assistant Instructor. Sophie is part of the “Encore Legacy” as she began dancing under Mandi Little’s direction as a pre-schooler. A dedicated student, she quickly moved on to join the competitive program where she trained with many of the top teachers and choreographers in the nation, performed with the Charlotte Civic Orchestra as a featured dancer and won numerous regional and national awards; including an invite to the World Dance Championships. Sophie recently graduated from Presbyterian College where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Vice President of Member Development and President of the PC Women’s Club Volleyball Team. She is currently attending the Medical University of South Carolina to receive a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Sophie hopes to blend her dance and OT knowledge to help children overcome challenges and cannot wait to be back in the studio to share her enthusiasm with young dancers.
Passion * Integrity * Education
At M-power Dance Project @ Encore, we believe that dance is not just movement - it's a form of expression, passion, and artistry. Join us to discover the joy and fulfillment that dance brings to every step of your journey.